Popular Radio Personality Dumped After Sexual Harassment Allegations Surface

A popular radio host has disappeared from the air, with his show being abruptly canceled after allegations surfaced that he had sexually harassed a male employee of the show, the Los Angeles Times reports.

"Spanish-language radio personality Eddie ‘Piolin’ Sotelo’s mysterious departure from the airwaves last week came after a performer on his nationally syndicated program accused him of sexual harassment, according to documents obtained by The Times," the newspaper reports. "Alberto ‘Beto’ Cortez, a writer, producer and performer on the popular ‘Piolin por la Manana’ radio program, alleged that his boss Sotelo was ‘physically, sexually and emotionally harassing’ him for a three-year period ending last January."

"Univision has not decided how it plans to program the early morning drive-time period that Piolín ruled for a decade," the Times reports separately. "For now, the company is playing Mexican regional music during that slot. During the month of June, the most recent month that has ratings data available, Sotelo’s show was tied for sixth place among morning programs in the competitive Los Angeles media market."

The Times also notes: "In addition to the claim of sexual harassment, Cortez alleged that Sotelo ordered members of his radio production team to falsify letters in support of a high-profile campaign for congressional immigration reform, an issue that Sotelo championed on his program."

Jeffrey Spitz, an attorney for Sotelo, called the allegations false. The Times quotes a statement from Spitz saying: "A disgruntled, troubled employee has made malicious and false claims about Eddie Sotelo. This was done as part of a demand for money. … The employee worked with Eddie for more than a decade. The employee’s allegations of harassment and falsification of immigration letters are pure fiction intended to gain a financial settlement."